December 18th - 21st

You only have 604,800 seconds left, that's one week, just seven little days until the big man in the red suit will be checking his list and seeing if you've been naughty or nice this year! I'm sure your boyfriend thinks you've been naughty, but that's a good thing, isn't it? Holiday parties are all the rage this time of year, but there are still plenty of other things to do. The weather may be below freezing but hopefully you've gotten used to it by now so put your layers on and GET OUT THERE!

Thursday, December 18

Just one week until Christmas. Shop in Andersonville this evening for another edition of "Late and Later-er" where more than 40 shops will keep their doors open for a great night of browsing and shopping until 10PM

Do you enjoy fast things? Then check out Speed Dating at Libertine - 1615 N Clyborn this evening for an evening of "Date and Dash" cost is $35 starting at 8PM, reservations are highly recommended for this typically sell out event.

HIS Stuff - 3162 N Broadway and The Kit Kat Supper Club and Lounge join forces for a night of shopping where 10% of the proceeds will benefit Chicago House. Food, surprises and entertainment are sure abound 6PM-9PM

7 days until Christmas - are you ready? If you're just getting your holiday shopping started, head on down to Daley Plaza - Washington & Dearborn - for the city's 13th Annual Christkindlemarket. Experience a traditional German Christmas shopping experience in the heart of downtown. The market is open until Christmas Eve, Sun-Thurs: 11AM-8PM, Fri & Sat: 11AM-9PM

Friday, December 19

This is really your last chance to join in with the carolers at Millennium Park for Caroling at Cloud Gate at 6PM, you'd better get down there.

Cake Chicago will be performing at the Red Line Tap - 7006 N Glenwood - 9PM, tickets are $5. Come dressed in something RED for this special holiday themed show.

Catch the 25th Annual Christmas Sing Along Double Feature at the Music Box Theater - 3733 N Southport. Tonight is "White Christmas" at 7PM followed by "It's a Wonderful Life" at 9:50PM

Saturday, December 20

Today is the last Green City Winter Market of the season, so make sure you stop by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 Cannon Drive from 8AM - 1PM to stock up on all of your organic and healthy products for the upcoming holiday.

The Beckie Menzie Cabaret will perform at Preston Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Randolph at 3PM today.

Light Up The Night - a silent candle light vigil/food drive will take place on State Street tonight starting at 5PM. This is a silent vigil, not a protest, so no chanting or signs are necessary. Bring your friends, a candle, a donation for the food drive and join in.

Sapho's Salon is at Women and Children First Books - 5233 N Clark - 7:30PM. Sappho's Solstice Soiree and Holiday Sing-Along, featuring Aerin Tedesco, Andrea Bunch, and the Women's Acoustic Assemble from the Old Town School of Folk Music, DJ SpinNikki, and special guest appearance by Ms. Bea Haven as Sexy Ms. Santa! $7 to $10 sliding fee includes food and wine.

You know you're in the spirit of Christmas when you go to the 25th Annual Christmas Sing Along Double Feature at the Music Box Theater - 3733 N Southport. Catch "White Christmas" at 4PM & 9:50PM and "It's a Wonderful Life" at 1PM and 7PM

Can you hear the lambs crying Clarice? Check out "Hell in a Handbag's" production of Silent Night of the Lambs at Mary's Attic - 5400 N Clark at 7:30PM, tickets are $15

Sunday, December 21

The Gay Liberation Network will hold a planning meeting for the forthcoming protest against the "Defense of Marriage Act" at the Gerber/Hart Library - 1127 W Granville at 2PM

Ben Lerman is hosting "Lerman Holiday" at the Annoyance Theater - 4830 N Broadway at 8:30, join Ben and special guests - Marc Felion & Fausto Fernos from the Feast of Fools, Carmen Espisito and more.

You know you'd look great as a cartoon. Stop by the Chicago History Museum where Chicago artist Katherine Hilden will turn you into a caricature at no cost from 2PM-4PM

While you're at the Museum make sure you stop by the Museum Store and check out the Jewlery Trunk show by Chicago jewelry designer Donna Sauers from 12PM-5PM